IT’S A RARE ROW THAT LEAVES THE KIDS HAPPY — AND THE BRC REGATTA, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE TELEGRAPH, PROVED JUST HOW

What: The opening ceremony and a slice from Day One of the 11th BRC Students Rowing Championship 2012 organised in association with The Telegraph.

Where: Bengal Rowing Club.

When: May 20-27.

Pratt Memorial School (left) and National High School for Girls, Team A (right), at the heats for the Coxed Fours Senior Girls group, where the girls in purple stole the show!
Pictures by Bishwarup Dutta and Bhubaneswarananda Halder

Teams: The eight-day-long competition, which will see 50 schools across the city row it out, kicked off on May 20. Coxed Fours, Single Scull or Indoor Rowing — students picked their adrenaline rush as BRC chalked out 12 different events for the 254 participants in the senior and junior, boys and girls categories.

Mood meter: Day One of the regatta on Sunday saw the heats for eight of the 12 events unfold at the Lakes. The mornings were all about rowing in Coxed Four boats, which allow four rowers and one cox who shouts loud the directions. The evening saw closely-fought races for the Single Sculls event, before the students called it ‘easy’ for the day.

Winning ways: Students sweated it out under the scorching sun, trying to beat the heat but not give up their oars. It was a fine sight when they congratulated each other and showed true sportsman spirit. Khalsa High School clocked the best time of the day, competing in the senior boys Coxed Fours category, with 2 minutes 3.20 seconds, closely followed by Army Public School. Next up was St. James’ School, who clocked the best time in the junior boys, while National High School (Team A) topped the senior girls category and Mahadevi Birla Girls Higher Secondary School took it away for junior girls.

The evening’s Single Sculls event saw St. James’ School as the fastest at 2 minutes 17 seconds, while the Frank Anthony Public School sculler was a close second on the time sheets.

words from the wise:“A persistent problem till date is the issue of financial support for the sport. Now with extensive media coverage, it is safe to say that families are at least encouraging children to take up the sport actively. I wish all these young students remain consistent and committed to their sport,” said Manoj Kothari, former world billiards champion, the chief guest for the ocassion.